UNCW Votes promotes voter registration

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton will take the stage Monday night in what is expected to be one of the most widely viewed presidential debates. (Source: WECT)

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) -

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton will take the stage Monday night in what is expected to be one of the most widely viewed presidential debates. UNCW students want to make sure that everyone watching the debate is also registered to vote in the election.

UNCW Votes Week is geared toward making sure everyone is registered early. The initiative features workshops, speakers and debate watching parties. The university's biggest event is Super Tuesday, to register as many students as possible on National Voter Registration Day.

Elise Wilson is the founder of UNCW Votes. She said she'd like to see more student involvement as a whole.

"I don't think students realize their vote counts, whether they've lived here for a few years as students or they're going to live here the rest of their lives, I think that being engaged in the community they're in now is super important," she said.

North Carolina is a battleground state, and with so much attention on our area, Wilson said it's important for students to be informed voters.

"North Carolina is a swing state, and there's a lot of students in North Carolina, North Carolina is a huge university and college state and those students are a huge part of the population and could swing this election," Wilson said.

UNCW hopes to have more than 200 newly registered voters by the end of the week.

Joseph Cina, a former WPD officer and NHC Sheriff's Lieutenant, says he plans to run for Pender County Sheriff in 2018. (Source: Joseph Cina)

Joseph A. Cina, who has law enforcement experience with the Wilmington Police Department and the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, said in a news release that he plans to run for Sheriff in Pender County in 2018, to succeed the retiring Sheriff Carson Smith.

Joseph A. Cina, who has law enforcement experience with the Wilmington Police Department and the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office, said in a news release that he plans to run for Sheriff in Pender County in 2018, to succeed the retiring Sheriff Carson Smith.

Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC 7) talks with WECT about the competing tax reform bills in Congress, and his take on allegations of misconduct brought against members of the House and Senate. (Source: WECT)

Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC 7) on Monday said if sexual misconduct allegations leveled against members of Congress are true, those members should step down from their seats. The second-term congressman also said if similar allegations are true against Alabama senate candidate Roy Moore, Rouzer believes Moore should remove himself from next month’s special election.

Congressman David Rouzer (R-NC 7) on Monday said if sexual misconduct allegations leveled against members of Congress are true, those members should step down from their seats. The second-term congressman also said if similar allegations are true against Alabama senate candidate Roy Moore, Rouzer believes Moore should remove himself from next month’s special election.

Voter turnout was up in nearly all Wilmington-area counties in 2017, compared to municipal races in 2015.

Voter turnout for the 2017 Municipal Elections increased in nearly all counties in the Wilmington area, according to results posted on the North Carolina State Board of Elections website late Tuesday night. The biggest increases came in New Hanover and Pender counties.

Voter turnout for the 2017 Municipal Elections increased in nearly all counties in the Wilmington area, according to results posted on the North Carolina State Board of Elections website late Tuesday night. The biggest increases came in New Hanover and Pender counties.